Heat exchanger tube support structure

a technology of heat exchanger tube and support structure, which is applied in the direction of indirect heat exchangers, nuclear elements, lighting and heating apparatus, etc., can solve the problems of high cost of corrective actions such as power derating, chemical cleaning or water slap, and increase the secondary water level in the downcomer. , to achieve the effect of reducing local turbulence and reducing pressure drop
US6914955B2Inactive Publication Date: 2005-07-05BWXT CANADA
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
BWXT CANADA
Publication Date
2005-07-05
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A support plate for retaining tube array spacing within a heat exchanger tube and shell structure. The support plate having a plurality of individual tube receiving apertures formed therein. Each aperture has at least three inwardly protruding members and bights are formed therebetween when the tube associated therewith is lodged in place to establish secondary fluid flow through the support plate. The inwardly protruding members terminate in flat lands that restrain but do not all contact the outer surface of the respective tube. These flat lands minimize fretting wear and eliminate potential gouging of the outer wall of the tube. The plate wall forming each aperture has an hourglass configuration which, inter alia, reduces pressure drop, turbulence and local deposition of magnetite and other particulates on the support plates.
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Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is divisional application of application U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 285,178 filed Oct. 31, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,101 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 285,178 is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,498,827 filed on Nov. 1, 1999 and issued on Dec. 24, 2002 which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates generally to heat exchanger construction and more particularly to support plates for retaining tube array spacing within the heat exchanger.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0003] The pressurized water vapor generators or heat exchangers, associated with nuclear power stations and which transfer the reactor-produced heat from the primary coolant to the secondary coolant that drives the plant turbines may be as long as 75 feet and have an outside diameter of about 12 feet. Within one of these heat exchangers, straight tubes through which the pri...

Claims

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